Former foreign minister, Dr Abdullah Abdullah is among the frontrunners in the elections. 



Born on Sept 5, 1960 and trained as an ophthalmologist, Abdullah worked in Kabul at the Noor Eye Institute and then at an eye hospital for Afghan Refugees in Peshawar.



He also served as secretary general of the Massoud Foundation, a non-profit organisation named after assassinated Afghan leader Ahmad Shah Massoud. 

As foreign minister, Abdullah promoted Afghanistan at a global level, broadening his country’s ties with the international community.



Abdullah hails from Kabul, with a Tajik mother and a Pashtun father. And while in the 2014 race, he is likely to draw considerable support from both ethnic groups, he has sought to broaden his backing by having Mohammed Mohaqeq, a famous Hazara community leader, as one of his vice presidential candidates.



Although he was foreign minister during Karzai's first term, he decided to stand against the incumbent in 2009. A second round between himself and Karzai was to be held but at the last minute Abdullah pulled out, citing his lack of trust in the Karzai government in holding a fair poll.



His First Vice President is Mohammad Khan and Second Vice President is Mohammed Mohaqeq.

- Research and text by Sara Alam